PRICE 25 CENTS. 

NO PLATS EXCHANGED. 

No. 9. 

Where the Trail 
Ends. 

By George M. Rosener. 

A One Act Drama of Life in the Canadian Woods, Written to 
be Adapted to Vaudeville. 




ADOLPH E. REIM, 

Publisher, 
MILWAUKEE, - WISCONSIN. 



TMP96-GC70S6 
5)CLD 2292B 



No^9. 
Where the Trail Ends. 

By 

George M. Rosener. 

A DRAMA OF LIFE IN THE CANADIAN WOODS, IN ONE ACT. 

][ 

Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1910, by Adolph 
E. Reim, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at 'Washing- 
ton, D. C. 

][ 



NOTICE. 

The Acting Rights of this sketch are reserved. This applies to 
amateurs as well as professionals. Letters should be addressed to 
the sole owner Adolph E. Reim, at 306 Foster Bldg., Milwaukee, 
Wis. 

"Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic 
or musical composition, for which a copyright has been obtained, 
without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical 
composition, or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages 
therefor; such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not 
less than $100.00, for the first and $50.00, for every subsequent 
performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlaw- 
ful performance and representation be wilful and for profit, such 
person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon con- 
viction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year." 

U. S. REVISED STATUTES, TITLE 60, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 
4966. 

Adolph E. Reim, 

PUBLISHER, 

Milwaukee, - Wis. 









CHARACTERS. 

Francois 4 Trapper. 

Jean ^ Trapper. 

Nanette Z7ie TF/fe 0/ Jean. 



SCENE. 



Scene — Jean's CaMra in the Canadian woods. 
Time — Nigh t. 
Season — Winter. 

Time of Playing: About Twenty minute*. 



DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS. 

(Ail use a slight Canuck dialect). 
Francois — A young trapper of about twenty-five years of age. Kind 
and gentle, yet possessing the impetuous temperament of the Canuck. 
He is clean shaven and wears conventional dress of the Canadian 
woodsman. 

Jean — A trapper of about forty years of age. To say he is a drunk- 
en villain is a good description of his eliarader. His hair is touched 
with grey and he wears a black beard and mustache. His clothes 
are similar to those of Francois'. 

Nanette — A young woman of about twenty years of age, who at 
times looks ten years older than she really is, this is due to the 
unjust sufferings and privations she has undergone at the hands of 
Jean. Like some wild animal she is submissive to these humilia- 
tion*, though her heart is always seeking a freedom and a lore that 
she knows of, but never knew. Her clothes are of the coar, 
material. 






WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 



DESCRIPTION OF SET. 



{Interior- of a log cabin, if unavailable use kitchen. Doors R. and 
L. am! D. I. F. R. Window I. F. L. Between- door and window 
I. F. is an old cupboard in which are bottles, glasses and other 
crude table treur. An old store is set against the wall down L. 
Hanging on the wall behind the stove and on the stove itself are 
various cooking utensils. A little L. of C. is a kitchen table, close 
to which are three chairs. [Tiro without backs). Over R. is a 
home made bench on which is a bucket, dipper, wash basin and 
soap. Hanging on the wall close by, is a coarse towel. On one side 
of the />. /. F. hang curious old clothes, on the other a number of 
traps. Above the door is a rifle suspended from a pair of deer 
horns. A lighted lantern hangs in the window, underneath of 
which is a lot of newly cut wood for the store. Hanging from the 
trails arc curious hides, blankets, etc. Fire or six lighted candles 
arc set about in available places). 

(At rise of curtain, the lights arc about one quarter down. If 
possible use red and blue. Back of window is a snow scape show- 
ing the pine trees covered with frost and snow. The rising and. 
falling of the wind is heard throughout the act). 

(There is a short pause after the curtain has risen, nothing is 
heard sure the simmering of cooking on the store and the wind 
without. Nanette enters from L. she first arranges some cooking 
on the store and then looks out of window. Cautiously she looks 
about her and then draws a letter from her breast, which she 
reads by the light of a candle. Sleigh bells arc heard off in the 
distance, gradually coming nearer and nearer. So engrossed is 
Nanette in her letter that she does not hear the bells until theg 
are close at hand. It is then she comes to her feet with a start, 
and in a hurried effort to conceal the letter in her breast, she drops 
it close by the store on the floor. The sleigh bells stop without. 
Nanette takes up her place by the stove. The D. I. F. swings 
open and Jean enters). 



4 WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 

Jean — Supper ready? 

Nane — Yes. 

■Jean — Now queek, queek. I am in a hurry. 

~Xane — It will take but a minute, Jean. 

Jean — (Hanging up his mackinaw and hat). A minute! A 
minute! It is always in a minute. Bab! You are lazy! Have a 
care Madam Nanette, I tell you. or you will again feel de weight of 
my belt. 

Xane — Did you sell tbe land to-day Jean? 

Jean — (Getting bottle and glass from cupboard). Did I sell de 
and? So! And what is that of your business? (He drinks). 

Xane — It is my land left to me by my father. 

Jean — (Sarcastically). Your land? So. Madam must have her 
joke. (Laughs uproariously). Left to me by my father! (He laugh* 
again). Ha! It is a good joke, Madam. It make me laugh. So 
be it, you are correct, de land she is left by your father. De drunk- 
en pig ! Yet Madam forgets that she is my wife and what is her's 
is mine also. I sell de land Madam. Yes. Maybe now you think 
you shall have some of de money. Bein ! Here it is! (Takes out 
a large roll of money). And understand. Madam Nanette it is mine. 
You will please to understand it is all mine. Bein ! And now to 
supper. 

Xane — As you will. (In arranging the supper on the table, she 
is about to remove the bottle of liquor). 

Jean — Let him here. 

Xane — I think you have had enough. Jean. 

Jean — You think nothing, Madam ! You let him here as I order 
it! 

Xane — This is all we have in the cabin. 

Jean — So? Then I shall have to send you to St. Ann's for more. 
(Snatches the bottle from her hand). When I order, Madam, you 
obey! (He strikes her with his open hand. For a brief second all 
the Indian blood in her body rebels). 

Xane — You will do that once too often Jean! 

Jean — Sacre ! So you threaten. (He draws his gun with his 
right hand and with his left he takes her by the shoulder and draws 
her to him). Here! You see dis? Some day you play on me your 

Indian tricks and Well. You understand! Now get de coffee. 

(She places the coffee and other eatables on the table). 

Xane — Jean, I have something to ask of you. 

Jean — (Eating) So? 



WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 5 

Nane — Have I not always been a good wife to you? 

Jean — Bein! And what then? 

Xane — You never were like this when we were first married and 
came here from Montreal. Sometimes I — I — I know I am a fool 
to think it, but sometimes I cannot help but think that maybe some- 
one else has taken my place. (She tries to laugh and throw off 
Iter well founded doubts of his loyalty). Of course, it is not so. 
I know. Jean. But I do sometimes think of it. It is the fool in 
me: is it not so, Jean? 

Jean — Bah ! It is now you do talk like a fool. You say you have 
a question to ask of me. Tres Bien! Do so! 

None — Have I not always been a good and faithful wife? 

Jean — Good and faithful? Sapristi ! Yes! So good that I get 
tired of your goodness! So faithful that I hate it more and more 
every day ! You say, is there another woman I desire? And I 
say yes there is. So, now you have it. 

None — It is true then my dear that you love another? 

Jean — Did I not say so? Bah, you make me seek! When I get 
ready Madame, you will know what I shall do to you? No? I shall 
then sell you to some Indian and go to live in Montreal like a 
gentleman. 

Xane — You would not dare to do such a sin! You would not 
dare ! 

Jean — So? Maybe you think that. Bien! We shall see. 

None — Jean! The time has come when you and me must know 
each other's thought. It can no longer be dog and master with us. 
The time is now for a better understanding. You say you will sell 
me to the Indians when you have finished wih me? Bien! Sooner 
than that I die. It is an oath, Jean, so I say to you. beware! 

Jean — Have a care, Nanette, perhaps you will go too far with 
your pretty talk. 

Xane — Jean. I desire to know 

Jean — You desire to know nothing, but my cartridge belt across 
your shoulders and that you shall have if another word is spoken. 
(Nane. starts for D. I. F.). Where you go now? 

None — To get some air. 

Jean — Here is your way. (Points L.) . 

Xane — I must have some air. 

Jean — And I say you must not! There to bed! It is time. 
(Nane exits L. Jean sits at table and drinks more of the 
liquor). Bah. so it is when you are disgusted with a woman! But 



6 WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 

it shall not be for long, Chere Ami! (Laughs uproariously). 
Sapristi! It shall not be for long. (He sees the letter laying on 
the floor close by the stove, he picks it up and reads with meas- 
ured pace laboring over the pronunciation of the words). "My 
love Nanette: — I come to-night, for the last time to ask you 
once again to come with me. I love you. Francois." (He crushes 
the letter in his hand). Francois! So Madame has a lover. She 
dare! She dare do this to me! (He draws his gun and starts 
for D. L.). To-night, I fix this. When Francois comes, he can 
bury her if he wants to. Softly, softly Jean, there is a better 
way. (He puts up his gun and pauses as if in meditation, his 
face brightens as an idea seems to come to him. He smoothes 
out the letter and lays it back where he found it. He then goes 
back to D. L. and calls off). Nanette! Nanette! 

Nanette — (Off stage L.). Yes. 

Jean — I am to ride to Lake St. Ann to-night. 

Nane — (Enters D. L.). To-night? 

Jean — (Pressing his hand about her throat). Yes, to-night! You 
understand, to-night! To Lake St. Ann, to-night! (He takes 
another drink). Nanette, you say your prayers every night, Bien? 

Nanette — Yes, you know I do so always. 

Jean — Then to-night you say one Rosary extra for your soul, 
Madame 

Nane — Why should I do that? 

Jean — Did you not hear the she wolf when she cried at the 
moon to-night? You know the sign. Death to-night is tracking 
a woman ! Maybe it is you. Who can tell ? Maybe — Maybe — 
We shall see. (He puts on his mackinaw, cap and mittens). 
Bon Nuit Madame! Bon Nuit! (Exit D. I. F.). 

Nane — (Listens at the door to the sleigh bells as they die off in 
the distance, she then feels for the letter, which she thinks is 
safe in her breast, she discovers that it is not there and .speaks 
in the aired half whisper of a person badly startled). Virgin 
Mother! I have lost it! (She looks about the floor and dis- 
covers it where she had dropped it. ^Yith a cry of joy, she picks 
it up and safely places it in her breast). Could Jean have seen this? 
No, no I am sure not. He would have killed me at once. I know 
him well enough for that. (She. drops to her knees beside of 
chair on the left of table and prays). Mother of Mary. I give 
thee thanks! Mother of Mary, I give thee thanks. (She quickly 
raises her head and listens, as if she heard a noise, being assured; 



WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 7 

she is at the D. I. F. without loss of time and locks it. There 
is a knock at the door. Nane listens loithout answering. The knock 
is repeated). Who is there? 

From,. — (On the other side of the door). It is I Nanette. Fran- 
cois ! 

Nane — You should not have come here now. 

Fran. — Let me in Nanette. I must see yoXi! 

Hiane — Not now, Francois. Come to-morrow night. 

Fran. — No, to-night, to-night, Nanette, I must see you just for 
a moment. 

Nane. — No Francois, not now! To-morrow night perhaps, but 
not now! 

Fran. — To-morrow night it will be too late. I go away when 
the moon is high. (Nanette opens the door and Francois enters. 
He attempts to take her in his arms, hut she gently keeps him 
off). 

Nane. — No, no, Francois! Wait! You say you are to leave 
when the moon is high? 

Fran. — I go on a journey, Nanette. 

Nane. — (Closing the door). You saw Jean, as he left but a 
moment ago? 

Fran. — Yes, I waited until he was well along the trail before 
I knocked. 

Nane. — You should not have come here to-night, Francois. 
You promised not to come again until I sent for you. 

Fran. — To stay away Nanette, is for me impossible. Nanette, 
better than my own life I love you. (He takes her hand, out she 
gently draws it aicay). 

Nane. — Not that Francois ! Not that ! Remember your promise. 

Fran. — (Quickly siceeps her into his arms). Nanette, say that 
you do not love me, Chere Ami, and I swear by the Virgin, I shall 
never see you again! 

Nane. — I cannot say that! Heaven help me! Francois, I can- 
not say that. 

Fran. — Then why not leave here? Why not come away with me 
to-night? 

Nane. — Because I am the wife of Jean Bateau. 

Fran. — His wife? You are his slave! Does he not treat you 
like the very dirt under his feet? Nanette, sometimes at night 
up there in my cabin, when I think that you are here with him, 
I have to pray to the Virgin for help, that I might not come here 



8 WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 

and kill liini as he sleeps. 

Wane. — {Startled). What is that? 

Finn.- — It is nothing but my horse, he knows the wolves are 
about to-night. 

Nane. — You had better go now.* I fear Francois! I fear! 

Iran. — Chere Ami. you are nervous. Has he been beating you 
again? Ah! 1 can see in your face the answer. God! It is well 
I leave to-night, well for him. 

Nane. — In truth, then you do really go away to-night? 

Fran. — Yes. I go south, my Nanette. 

Nane. — You will be away for long? 

Fran. — For a year, maybe. 

Nane. — A year? I shall not see you for one whole year? 

Fran. — Nanette, it need net be so. See I am ready to take you 
with me now. To-morrow we will be far away. It is so or- 
dained. Nanette. I love you. Chere Ami! How much it is you 
alone, who knows! 

Nane. — Say no more, Francois. I have temptation enough with- 
out this, so please say no more. I love you, is that not enough? 
Can you not wait? I love you alone, Francois! Oh, how I love 

you. Oh God, God, my soul is in danger ! Help me ! Help me ! 

(She drops to the floor crying). 

Fran. — (Raising tier to tier feet). Come Nanette! Come with 
me! It is I. Francois, who asks it. Francois who loves you! 

Nane. — (Regaining her composure). No, no Francois! I must 
stay ! 

Fran. — Why; I ask you why? 

Nane. — Because I am his wife. It is right. 

Fran. — Right? You are his slave, that is right. You stay here 
where he beats you. where he treats you like a dog? Maybe it 
is that you love him. 

Nane — Francois! You can say this to me when I have already 
sinned in telling you of my love for you? You too then, I see 
would hurt me. As Jean treats me not so much does it hurt me. 
as when you doubt me. I am his wife. Jean. If I should not be 
true to him maybe, how then could I be true to you? No. Fran- 
cois, trust me. love me, but do not now ask me to sin. Is it not 
enough that 1 love you, Francois? Answer me, is it not enough? 

Fran. — (With bowed head). Yes. 

Nane. — Then, though my heart gets sick. I must tell yen now 
to go. Come back in one year, then maybe it shall be all different. 



WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 9 

Fran. — You mean you will leave him then? 

Nane. — No! Never will it be like that while he lives, but per- 
haps he will leave me. Who can tell? He has said it many times. 

Fran. — A year, Nanette? A year? Chere Ami! I cannot suf- 
fer so long. 

Nane. — Do not I wait and suffer also, Francois? 

Fran. — True, my Nanette. You are right, I must go alone. I 
will leave now while I am strong. 

Nane. — My brave Francois. 

Fran. — You will wish me Bon Voyage and say I love you once 
again before I go. (He holds out his hand, which she takes). 

Nane. — Bon Voyage, my Francois, I love you! (Francois kiss- 
es her hand and stai-ts for D. I. F. The door opens and Jean en- 
ters). 

Jean — Ah ! Salute ! M. Francois ! You are visiting, is it 
not so? You do Madam Nanette and myself much honor. Is it 
not so, Ma Chere? Ah, yes, see how her eyes shine. She is beauti- 
ful, my Nanette. Is it not so, M. Francois? 

Fran. — It is right that you should think so. (Francois starts for 
D. I. F. Jean steps in front of him). 

Jean — You are not leaving us, M. Francois? 

Fran. — Yes. I go south to-night. 

Jean — So? We will miss you. It is sad. 

Fran. — I am behind my time and must say farewell ! 

Jean — Tut, Tut! You must first have a glass of cognac. (He 
takes Francois by the arm and leads him to the table). Come 
Madam some more glasses. (Nanette stands starimg at Jean 
as if she read his design). Madam do you not hear? Some more 
glasses! Is it a ghost you see that you look so pale? Hasten 
Madam ! ( Nanette gets two more glasses, which she sets on the 
table). M. Francois has a long journey before him. (Jean pours 

out three glasses of liquor). A long long journey. (Jean 

is behind the table, Fran, is on the R. and Nanette is on the Ij. 
Francois and Nanette stand looking at each other, as if they read 
each other's thoughts. Jean looks up and notes their exchange of 
glances). Now what is it, that you both stand staring? Sapristi ! 
You are cheerful companions! Bien, we will drink! Monsieur! 
(He hands a glass of liquor to Fran.). Madam! (He hands a glass 
of liquor to Nanette). 

Nanette — I do not care for the cognac, Jean. 

jean — Sacre! You insult Monsieur and myself. (Speaking 



10 WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 

through his teeth and half aside to Nanette). It is my wish that 
you drink. (Nanette takes the glass). And now I shall give a 
toast. "To other men's wives." (Nanette starts and drops her glass 

to tlir poof). Sapristi! Madam you are clumsy! You do not drink 
M. Francois? 

Fran.— To that toast ? No! 

Jean — So? Then I shall give another. Here it is! Let other 
men's wives alone. (Jean drinks. Francois is about to refuse to 
drink and to resent Jean's insult, when he catches Nanette's ciic. 
She makes a signal that he should drink and avoid trouble. Fran. 
drinks and sets his glass on the table). And now Madam to bed! 
I have some business to discuss with Monsieur. 

Xaue — I am not tired Jean and 

Jean — {Threateningly). You can hardly keep your eyes open. 
Madam. (Points L.). To bed! {Aside) And do not return here 
until morning. (Nanette exits I..). 

Fran. — You will please hasten with the business yen sp;ike of. 
Monsieur, I am eager to be off. 

Jean — We shall come to tint presently, my Francois. You will 
bs interested. I know when I tell you that it concerns Madam 
Nanette alone. 

Fran. — I do not quite understand. I think perhaps it would be 
bitter if we talked on this another time. 

Jean — No, no, my Francois! \Ye must talk now. You will ex- 
cuse me Francois if I save the candles. ( Blows out all the candles, 
but the one on the table. As he bloics out cadi caudle the lights 
go down a little). Candles. Francois <•< st money and I am a prior 
man. Bien! So it is. (He comes back to the table). And now 
to business. I wish to ask your advice first of all Francois. It is 
I fear that Nanette has a lover. (Fran, .starts). Keep your seat, 
my Francois, for that is not all. Now I ask you, my Francois, if it 
was you in my place, which one would you kill the lover or 
Nanette? For surely one of them must die. Now which do you 
say? 

Fran. — I cannot. I fear to talk longer on this subject. 

Jean — So? I understand! Bien! You do not wish to say. Then 
it shall be Nanette. She shall die to-night. 

Fran. — (Starts to It is feet). You would kill her? 

Jean — (Draws his gun and points it at Fran.). You are excitable, 
my Francois. And who knows what damage you will do with 
your gun? I will now trouble you to give it to me for safe keep- 



WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 11 

ing. 
Fran. — What? 

Jean — Your gun and queek ! I am not to be made a fool of, my 
Francois! It is yon who understands that now I think. (Fran. 
takes his gun and lays it on the table. Jean tosses it under the 
store). Now you dog, we will talk without fear comment! 

Fran. — Look Jean! Remember this I have done no wrong, neither 
has Nanette. Remember this also, that I tried to leave before you 
commenced this damnable work. 

Jean — Sapristi, do I not understand it all? She was getting ready 
to leave with you to-night, just as I entered. 

Fran. — Bateau, you lie and you know it, when you say that! 

Jean — Have a care how you raise your voice, you dog of a she 
wolf ! If you think to bring Nanette to your aid, I tell you this, 
before she has crossed the threshold of the door I will send a 
bullet in her heart ! 

Fran. — If you were but half a man you crawling skunk, you 
would — ■ — 

Jean — It is enough ! You are to listen, I will speak, I want no 
more of your lies ! 

Fran. — Lies? You think I fear to tell the truth? So? Then 
listen! I love Nanette, it is true, I love her so much that if I 
thought it would make her happy by giving up my life, now this 
minute would I spring at your throat and though you sent a bul- 
let in my brain, I would succeed in tearing your heart out, before 
I went to meet my God. She has taught me how true a woman 
can be to a man, even when that man is but a dog. Bien ! It is 
enough ! 

Jean — And all this he would do for a woman ! Sacre ! It is a 
strange world. Hark, you dog! You love this she wolf that I 
cast off? You love her? So? Then will I bargain with you. I 
will sell her to you for $50,000. What do you say to that. Mon- 
sieur ? 

Fran. — I say this, that I have never seen the dog or the son of 
a dog, that is as low as the one I see before me now. 

jean — By Gar, it is the end ! You know now what I am going 
to do? No? First I shall kill you and then she will I sell to the 
Indian, who pays the biggest price. That makes your face go pale, 
you know well what that means, Bien! If you wish to pray Mon- 
sieur, pray, for in one minute you die! On my mother's soul it 
is an oath! (For about ten seconds they stand looking at each 



12 WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS. 

other. Then Francois knocks the candle from the table and drops 
to the floor beside of the table. All the lights go out. Jean shoots, 
the flash of the gun is seen to go over the table in the direction of 
where Francois was standing. There is a struggle in the dark. 
again the gun is discharged, then silence. Nanette enters L. with 
a lighted candle, the lights still remain out, the audience get a 
glimpse of Jean laying on the floor and Fran, standing C). 

Nane. — Francois ! 

Fran. — (Taking the candle from her and folding her in his 
arms). Nanette! Chere Ami! My Nanette! 



— SLOW CURTAIN.- 



Sacre, is pronounced Sacra. 

Sapristi, is pronounced Sapriste. 

Francois, is pronounced Franswa. 

Chere Ami, is pronounced Cher Aame. 

Salute, is pronounced Salu. 

Bien, is pronounced Be-a. 

Tres Bien, is pronounced Tra Be-a 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



2? 1Q3Q 



DfcC 21 l$l 




